Cincinnati Bengals: Potential first-round targets in 2021 NFL Draft

Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

Since 2014, the Cincinnati Bengals have drafted six offensive linemen in the first four rounds of the NFL Draft and only two of them remain with the team today. Their lack of draft success in that department is a big reason why they have one of the worst units in the entire league and are now desperate for talent to protect Joe Burrow.

They will hope to change their fortunes in the 2021 NFL Draft as Oregon’s Penei Sewell could be just the plug-and-play talent that they are so desperate for. Nobody has been mocked to the Bengals more than Sewell, as he has been the consensus top tackle in college football since his incredible sophomore seasons where he won both the Outland and Morris trophies.

Sewell has rare movement skills for a guy with his size and length. He explodes out of his stance and his blocking radius is the best in the class. He is super comfortable getting out in space and actively looks to punish people in the run game. Sewell is also a really heady player with quick processing skills.

The only established player on Cincinnati’s offensive line right now is Jonah Williams, who just can’t seem to stay healthy. He is still a nice player at left tackle though, so if the Bengals drafted Sewell, they could start him out on the right side or even kick him inside at guard. That’s the type of versatility he could provide them. I would be surprised if Sewell isn’t the pick if he’s still on the board when the Bengals are on the clock at five.